There's an interesting assortment of links at the post "wizard of oz hanging :: snopes.com: 'Wizard of Oz' Munchkin Suicide" (RSS Alligator (July 28, 2008)). Since a rather annoying pop-up with a dubious URL appeared when I visited that page, as well as some that were stopped by my browser, I can't recommend going there.
However, here are two links that related to the suicidal stage hand or lovelorn munchkin:
- "Wizard of Oz, The - Hanging Munchkin"
Easter Egg Archive - "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Website"
(There's an FAQ section on the page: you'll find it if you scroll down a bit.)
Snopes goes into the history of this rumor. The original version, that it's a hanging stagehand, is more plausible, since the scene with Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow among the talking apple trees was filmed before the scenes with the Munchkins.
The Snopes page includes a sound clip from "The Ultimate Oz" laserdisc set, by Oz expert John Fricke. The sound clip is in *.ra format, so you may not be able to play it. Pity. Snopes also provides a viewable video clip in resolution that's considerably better than what you find on YouTube is a bit enlightening.
Here's a Photobucket video of 'hanging munchkin.'
Photobucket video
0:25
I see the object in the background - and it does look a great deal like a bird's wing being stretched.
I suspect that one reason I'm able to identify the object is that I live in central Minnesota, within a mile of a lake and swampland. Birds, from hummingbirds to herons, stop by: giving me a bit more experience than people who live in more built-up areas.
I'm strongly inclined to go with Snopes on this one: That looks like a bird, not a hanging human being of any size. Although I'll admit that the YouTube version has low enough resolution to let someone thing they see a hanging man or woman or munchkin. Or something like that.
"Hanging Munchkin Scene Wizard of Oz Nodemise.com
YouTube Video
0:08
However, I would like to suggest another explanation for that mysterious shape in the film. It's the edge of an alien spacecraft that MGM was hiding on the set. As is obvious from the spectacular special effects of "The Wizard of Oz," MGM must have been using alien technology.
The actors and stage crew were aware that something very strange was going on at the back of the set, but have no conscious memory because they were brain-buzzed by the aliens just after the take. Of course, that removed all recollection of the alien spacecraft, Splifbbugg's brief appearance after the cameras were shut down, and the regrettable death of Vnipzligg, Splifbbugg's assistant.
It was, of course, subconscious manifestations of memories of Vnipzligg's demise that started the 'hanging stagehand' rumor. Sadly, Vnipzligg tripped on his way out of the spacecraft, became entangled in the rigging that held the Cowardly Lion's tail, and wasn't cut down until it was too late.
I shouldn't have to say this, but it's best to be careful: That business about Splifbbugg and Vnipzligg is just make-believe.
But don't let that stop you from seeing "The Wizard of Oz" (IMDB.com).
5 comments:
So that's still around, huh? I saw a documentary on urban legend where they showed a close up of that bit. I thought right away that it looked like a rather large bird.
It was, in fact, according to the documentary, an example of the native avian fauna that had wandered onto the set during the shoot. It was completely unplanned and completely nonhuman.
Brigid,
Yep, it's still around. About that documentary, though: I'm with Snopes on this. That resource says that birds of various sizes were borrowed from the Los Angeles Zoo, and allowed to roam the set.
I think that's a bit more plausible. For one thing, peacocks (the avian sort) aren't all that common, even in Hollywood. For another, I doubt that very many large birds wandered onto sound stages.
As for 'still around' - my guess is that this urban legend is in for a renaissance of sorts. One of the search strings that showed up in today's logs was "wizard of oz and the hanging black mn" - without the quotes.
As with so many rumors, this one just gets better and better.
I could be miss remembering, too. When typing the comment I thought I remembered something about a zoo being mentioned, but then it seemed weird that a zoo bird would be wandering around so I figured that that must be a misremembering and that it was a more native bird that had gotten in.
Brigid,
Memory is a wonderful thing. And that's why McPhee liked notebooks so much. (A little 'in' reference there.)
Oh yes, the guy trying to out doubt Doubting Thomas. I'm still trying to decide whether I find him amusing or annoying.
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